Test your basic knowledge |

Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time - always beginning on the third beat of the measure.






2. Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct.






3. A direction to play expressively.






4. A dance written in triple time - where the accent falls on the first beat of each measure.






5. Tone color - quality of sound that distinguishes one verse or instrument to another. It is determined by the harmonies of sound.






6. A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations.






7. The range of an instrumental or a vocal part.






8. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






9. The intonation - pitch - and modulation of a composition expressing the meaning - feeling - or attitude of the music.






10. A rhythmic succession of musical tones - a melody for instruments and voices.






11. Curved line connecting notes to be sung or played as a phrase.






12. A lighthearted piece - written in several movements - usually as background music for a social function.






13. A book of text containing the words of an opera.






14. The voice between soprano and alto. Also - in sheet music - a direction for the tempo to be played at medium speed.






15. The unit of measure where the beats on the lines of the staff are divided up into two - three - four beats to a measure.






16. A solo concert with or without accompaniment.






17. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






18. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1800's and lasted about sixty years. There was a strong regard for order and balance.






19. The tonal characteristics determined by the relationship of the notes to the tone.






20. Male singers who were castrated to preserve their alto and soprano vocal range.






21. A composition written for nine instruments.






22. A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works.






23. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






24. A musical theme given to a particular idea or main character of an opera.






25. Where the musical themes and melodies are developed - written in sonata form.






26. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played grandly.






27. The tonal characteristics determined by the relationship of the notes to the tone.






28. Music written to be sung or played in unison.






29. Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart.






30. Music that is easy to listen to and understand.






31. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






32. Time in music history ranging from the middle of the 16th to the middle of the 17th centuries. Characterized by emotional - flowery music; written in strict form.






33. Singing in unison - texts in a free rhythm. Similar to the rhythm of speech.






34. A group of 4 instruments - two violins - a viola - and cello.






35. One of the two modes of the tonal system. Music written in major keys have a positive affirming character.






36. A song of praise and glorification. Most often to honor God.






37. A direction to play expressively.






38. The voice between soprano and alto. Also - in sheet music - a direction for the tempo to be played at medium speed.






39. A successive transposition and repetition of a phrase at different pitches.






40. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






41. A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions.






42. Atonal and violent style used as a means of evoking heightened emotions and states of mind.






43. A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a measure.






44. Arrangement of music for a combined number of instruments.






45. Refers to any great composer - conductor - or teacher of music.






46. The interval between two notes. Two whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






47. Short movement or interlude connecting the main parts of the composition.






48. Combination of two or more keys being played at the same time.






49. Group of singers in a chorus.






50. A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions.







Sorry!:) No result found.

Can you answer 50 questions in 15 minutes?


Let me suggest you:

Browse all subjects

Browse all tests

Most popular tests



Major Subjects

Tests & Exams


AP
CLEP
DSST
GRE
SAT
GMAT

Browse all subjects

Browse all tests

Most popular tests